Page 4 of New Year's Day

The timing is all wrong, but maybe we could sneak off later and I can fuck her in a coat closet or something. God knows we have enough closets in this monstrosity of a house.

“No, it’s not wrong.” I tighten my hold on her and pull her in closer. “Looks like our new party goers are already having a great time.”

“They are.” Her smile is wistful. “I adore them.”

“They’re a wild bunch,” I say in agreement, because they are. And I adore them as well, especially our own.

“They’re all getting so big.” Her voice is full of sadness, my least favorite thing of all time. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to ease my wife’s melancholy.

Thank God it doesn’t happen too often.

“They are.”

“August is…a lot.” She sighs, her gaze lifting to mine. “And I think we’re raising some well-adjusted children.”

I chuckle and press my lips to her forehead in the briefest kiss. “He’s a Lancaster and the oldest male. His shitty attitude comes naturally.”

“His attitude isn’t shitty, he’s just so…” Her voice drifts.

“Judgmental?” I raise my brows. “Thinks he’s above it all? Sounds familiar.”

“This family name sometimes feels like a curse,” she murmurs, her brows drawing together with worry.

“It’s not a curse.” This time I kiss her lips, savoring the sweet taste of her. “We’ve changed the course of every one of these children’s lives in this room right now. Look how happy they are. Look at Christopher.”

My sister Sylvie’s son is laughing and smiling, having fun with his cousins. The fact that she’s a mother still shocks me and she’s been one for a while now. This was a girl who was abused by our mother. Who stated quite loudly and as many times as she could that she would never be a mom.

Now she is, and she’s a good one too. Christopher is the same age as our youngest Vaughn and they’re extremely close.

“He looks like Spencer,” Summer murmurs and I nod my agreement.

“And look at Carolina’s children.” The twins are wearing matching sparkly gold dresses, their blonde hair pulled into high ponytails. “Carolina used to hate people. She especially hated all of us.”

My gaze goes to Carolina who’s standing with her husband West on the other side of the room near the fireplace. They look happy. No, even better, they seem content.

Growing up, none of us were able to feel content for any length of time. Not with our overbearing mother and rarely present father. Too bad he’s not here to witness this, but he’s currently in the Bahamas with his latest girlfriend—who is younger than Carolina—ringing in the New Year on his yacht.

Some things just never change, and I can’t blame my father for that. He tried the best he could. He’s made up for a lot of his bad behavior from the past these last few years. We’re closer than ever, and he spends a lot of time with my children. With all of our children.

It’s the least he can do. I draw the line at him bringing his girlfriends around the children, though. Since they’re interchangeable, what’s the point?

“You’re right,” Summer says, her voice drawing me out of my thoughts. “I shouldn’t say it’s a curse. Our generation has changed the Lancaster attitude for the better.”

“Indeed, it has.” I tuck her close, pressing my lips to her cheek before I fully kiss her on the lips.

“Daddy!” I feel a tug on the back of my suit jacket and I pull away from my wife’s irresistible lips to find our daughter watching us with an imploring gaze.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, turning so both Summer and I can face Iris.

She is the spitting image of her mother, though she’s in that awkward preteen phase where it feels like she’s all limbs and awkward with it. She’s also constantly running into things, as if she’s unable to control herself. Summer said she was the same way and I can’t even imagine it. “I think August snuck a glass of champagne.”

My gaze cuts to the bar where I see my oldest son standing in front of it, sipping from a glass that looks very much like champagne.

“And he gave one to Row,” Iris whispers. “Who’s only ten.”

“Oh dear.” Summer pulls away from me, her expression full of alarm. “I’ll go talk to him.”

She’s gone in an instant, leaving behind a very pleased looking little sister who just ratted on her brother.

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